Multi-lumen catheter configuration

Abstract

A multi-lumen catheter for use in the extracorporeal treatment of bodily fluids comprises a tubular catheter body having a first septum extending along its length, and having a withdrawal port and an infusion port. First and second withdrawal lumens are disposed on one side of the septum for transporting fluids withdrawn from a body vessel through the withdrawal port to an extracorporeal treatment unit, such as a dialyzer. An infusion lumen is disposed on the other side of the septum for infusion of treated fluids from the dialyzer through the infusion port into the vessel. The catheter body has a second septum extending along a length of the first septum. A proximal portion of the second septum separates the first and second withdrawal lumens, and a distal portion of the second septum extends distal to the withdrawal port. The distal portion tapers to a termination point along the length of the first septum length, for easing entry of the catheter into the vessel.

1 . A multi-lumen catheter for use in the extracorporeal treatment of bodily fluids, comprising:
 a tubular catheter body having a proximal end, a distal end, and a length, and having a first septum extending along said length, said catheter body having a withdrawal port and an infusion port, said ports being axially spaced along said catheter body length such that said withdrawal port is disposed proximal to said infusion port along said length, of said distal end tapering from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter distal tip portion, said catheter body having first and second withdrawal lumens disposed on one side of said septum for transport of fluids withdrawn from a body vessel through said withdrawal port to an extracorporeal treatment unit, and an infusion lumen disposed on another side of said septum for infusion of treated fluids from said extracorporeal treatment unit through said infusion port into the vessel, said catheter body having a second septum extending along a length of said first septum, a proximal portion of said second septum separating said first and second withdrawal lumens, and a distal portion of said second septum extending distal to said first and second withdrawal lumens and tapering to a termination point along said first septum length.   
   
   
       2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein said infusion port comprises an opening at the distal tip portion of said catheter body. 
   
   
       5 . The catheter of  claim 4 , wherein said catheter body further comprises at least one side port communicating with said infusion lumen for infusion of treated fluids into the vessel. 
   
   
       6 . The catheter of  claim 5 , wherein said infusion port and said side port each have a cross-sectional area, and wherein a combined cross-sectional area of said infusion port and said side port is at least as great as a cross-sectional area of said infusion lumen. 
   
   
       7 . The catheter of  claim 5 , wherein said side port is disposed distal to said withdrawal port along said catheter body length. 
   
   
       8 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein said withdrawal port is disposed along said catheter body at an inclined angle for facilitating entry of a distal end of said catheter into said vessel. 
   
   
       9 . The catheter of  claim 4 , wherein said termination point is proximal to said tapered distal end of said catheter body. 
   
   
       10 . A multi-lumen catheter for extracorporeal treatment of a bodily fluid, comprising:
 a generally cylindrical catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end tapering to a distal tip portion, said generally cylindrical catheter body having a length, and having a first septum extending along said length, said catheter body having a withdrawal port and an infusion port, said withdrawal port and said infusion port being axially spaced along said catheter body length, said withdrawal port being oriented generally perpendicular to said first septum, said catheter body having first and second withdrawal lumens disposed on one side of said first septum for transport of said body fluid withdrawn from a body vessel through said withdrawal port to an extracorporeal treatment unit, and an infusion lumen disposed on another side of said first septum for infusion of treated fluid from said extracorporeal treatment unit through said infusion port into the vessel, said catheter body having a second septum extending along a length of said first septum, a proximal portion of said second septum separating said first and second withdrawal lumens, and a distal portion of said second septum extending distal to said withdrawal first and second withdrawal lumens and tapering to a termination point along said first septum length, said second septum sized and positioned for minimizing resistance during insertion of said catheter into said vessel.   
   
   
       11 . The catheter of  claim 10 , wherein said infusion port comprises an opening at the distal tip portion of said catheter body. 
   
   
       12 . The catheter of  claim 11 , wherein said catheter body further comprises at least one side port communicating with said infusion lumen for infusion of treated fluids into the vessel. 
   
   
       13 . The catheter of  claim 12 , wherein said infusion port and said side port each have a cross-sectional area, and wherein a combined cross-sectional area of said infusion port and said side port is at least as great as a cross-sectional area of said infusion lumen. 
   
   
       14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . The catheter of  claim 10 , wherein said catheter body is formed from silicone, polyurethane or PTFE. 
   
   
       16 . A method for treating a body fluid, comprising:
 providing a catheter for transporting said body fluid, said catheter comprising a generally cylindrical catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, said distal end tapering to a distal tip portion, said generally cylindrical catheter body having a length, and having a first septum extending along said length, said catheter body having a withdrawal port and an infusion port, said withdrawal port being proximal to said infusion port along said catheter body length, said catheter body having first and second withdrawal lumens disposed on one side of said septum for transport of said body fluid withdrawn from a body vessel through said withdrawal port to an extracorporeal treatment unit, and an infusion lumen disposed on another side of said septum for infusion of treated fluid from said extracorporeal treatment unit through said infusion port into the vessel, said catheter body having a second septum extending along a length of said first septum, a proximal portion of said second septum separating said first and second withdrawal lumens, and a distal portion of said second septum extending distal to said first and second withdrawal lumens and tapering to a termination point along said first septum length;   inserting said distal end of said catheter body into said vessel;   withdrawing body fluid to be treated from said vessel through said withdrawal port;   transporting said withdrawn fluid through said withdrawal lumens to a treatment instrument;   treating said fluid in said treatment instrument;   transporting said treated fluid from said treatment instrument through said infusion lumen; and   infusing treated fluid into said body vessel through said infusion port.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said infusion port comprises an opening at the distal tip of said catheter body, and wherein said catheter body further includes at least one side port along the length of said catheter body in communication with said second lumen for infusion of treated fluid into said body vessel. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein each of said infusion port and said side port have a cross-sectional area, and wherein the combined cross- sectional areas of said infusion port and said side port is at least as great as a cross- sectional area of said infusion lumen. 
   
   
       19 . (canceled) 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said treatment unit comprises a dialyzer. 
   
   
       21 . The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein said termination point of said second septum is disposed along said first septum length between said withdrawal lumens and said distal tip portion, said second septum having a length and taper structured and arranged for minimizing resistance during insertion of said catheter into said vessel. 
   
   
       22 . The catheter of  claim 21 , wherein said termination point is substantially midway between said withdrawal lumens and said distal end along said first septum length.